George - 01 March 2012 12:32 PM

If the Muslims continue to experience a higher fitness than the Europeans, Islam may eventually take over.

I’m sure the millions of European and American Muslims would be as confused by that statement as I am. 

FreeInKy - 01 March 2012 12:46 PM

George - 01 March 2012 12:32 PM

If the Muslims continue to experience a higher fitness than the Europeans, Islam may eventually take over.

I’m sure the millions of European and American Muslims would be as confused by that statement as I am. 

I don’t really know why you would be confused by that, but maybe you and the Muslims don’t understand what the word “fitness” refers to. Look it up.

George - 01 March 2012 01:00 PM

FreeInKy - 01 March 2012 12:46 PM

George - 01 March 2012 12:32 PM

If the Muslims continue to experience a higher fitness than the Europeans, Islam may eventually take over.

I’m sure the millions of European and American Muslims would be as confused by that statement as I am. 

I don’t really know why you would be confused by that, but maybe you and the Muslims don’t understand what the word “fitness” refers to. Look it up.

You still don’t see it? Did you re-read your statement? Comparing Muslims to Europeans is like comparing apples to fruit.

FreeInKy - 01 March 2012 01:04 PM

George - 01 March 2012 01:00 PM

FreeInKy - 01 March 2012 12:46 PM

George - 01 March 2012 12:32 PM

If the Muslims continue to experience a higher fitness than the Europeans, Islam may eventually take over.

I’m sure the millions of European and American Muslims would be as confused by that statement as I am. 

I don’t really know why you would be confused by that, but maybe you and the Muslims don’t understand what the word “fitness” refers to. Look it up.

You still don’t see it? Did you re-read your statement? Comparing Muslims to Europeans is like comparing apples to fruit.

Yeah, this PC stuff will get you very far. But I guess it’s easier than “big, dense books”...

George - 01 March 2012 01:24 PM

FreeInKy - 01 March 2012 01:04 PM

George - 01 March 2012 01:00 PM

FreeInKy - 01 March 2012 12:46 PM

George - 01 March 2012 12:32 PM

If the Muslims continue to experience a higher fitness than the Europeans, Islam may eventually take over.

I’m sure the millions of European and American Muslims would be as confused by that statement as I am. 

I don’t really know why you would be confused by that, but maybe you and the Muslims don’t understand what the word “fitness” refers to. Look it up.

You still don’t see it? Did you re-read your statement? Comparing Muslims to Europeans is like comparing apples to fruit.

Yeah, this PC stuff will get you very far. But I guess it’s easier than “big, dense books”...

What’s PC about calling you out on an invalid comparison? It’s logic 101. Are you even following my train of thought here? Think about it. You are referencing two sets of people: Muslims and Europeans. But those sets are not mutually exclusive; in fact, there is a lot of overlap. Not to mention the fact that one refers to a geographical region and the other to a religious affiliation.

Thanks for the synopsis Doug.  I have not read the book -  going by the reviews I’ve gotten from this forum, I’ll wait untill the library has it.  What if Pinker is looking at the wrong ingredients?  Perhaps people are just as violent as they have always been; but the combination of more efficient “policing”, and our modern comforting distractions are simply curtailing some of the violent/anti - social behavior.  Anywhere in the world whenever some catastrophe happens, all hell breaks loose. Every concievable social group is affected; there are some individuals who seem to stay above the chaos, but they are the exception.

FreeInKy - 01 March 2012 12:46 PM

George - 01 March 2012 12:32 PM

If the Muslims continue to experience a higher fitness than the Europeans, Islam may eventually take over.

I’m sure the millions of European and American Muslims would be as confused by that statement as I am. 

Reproduction. The amount of kids being born who carry those traits is what determines evolutionary “fitness”.

So anyhow overall it’s a good book, densely argued and pretty convincing, though not at all an easy read

My bad! Read the review again and I guess I picked up on the criticisms, although I don’t understand the above??! I found it not only an easy read but entertaining too. Although this is my first Pinker book and I have nothing to compare it to. I’m going to pick up (download now) another soon.

Cap’t Jack

Thevillageatheist - 10 March 2012 02:51 PM

So anyhow overall it’s a good book, densely argued and pretty convincing, though not at all an easy read

My bad! Read the review again and I guess I picked up on the criticisms, although I don’t understand the above??! I found it not only an easy read but entertaining too. Although this is my first Pinker book and I have nothing to compare it to. I’m going to pick up (download now) another soon.

No worries. I thought his earlier books, particularly Language Instinct, were easier reads. I also remember them as being a lot lighter in tone; more jokes and anecdotes.

(Response from THIS thread).

I found Blank Slate his best, though some of the folks I have recommended it to say the first half is tough going. Actually didn’t care for Language Instinct much, but then I’ve read a bit more in that area and already had opinions, which probably influenced my reception of the book.